On Memorial Day, Grace Church, Bath Campus, a Charis Fellowship congregation in Akron, Ohio (Jeff Bogue, senior pastor), hosted the 8th annual Grace Race, dedicated to feeding starving children.
The Grace Race has grown in impact and popularity over the years. Last year, 1,500 runners and 40 sponsors (including GraceConnect) participated, with more than $43,000 raised toward meals for starving children.
“Our church is very passionate about investing in children, especially when it comes to meeting specific needs. We have partnered with Feed My Starving Children for more than eight years now,” says Donny Varney, pastor of sports ministries at Grace Church.
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a Christian non-profit that provides nutritionally complete meals specifically formulated for malnourished children.
The congregation’s goal with this event is to raise money and awareness for starving children around the world.
“We believe feeding hungry children is something God cares about, so we do too. We also have noticed that it is a shared value in our community,” says Varney.
From Thursday, May 31 until Saturday, June 2, participants are invited to help pack meals for Feed My Starving Children with the proceeds from the Grace Race. This is an opportunity for participants to have fun serving as a family.
The Grace Race will take place at Copley High School, and it consists of a 5K race, a one-mile race, and a family adventure run. The 5K and one-mile are both officially chip-timed.
“My favorite part of the event is working alongside so many people who all believe in what we are doing,” says Varney. “It’s not just a Grace Church thing – it’s a community thing! This year, we have about 50 community partners who are invested in this cause! It’s humbling to be a part of this.”
[Connect:] Click here to send a note of encouragement to Donny. To volunteer, donate, or with any questions, click here. To register to participate or for more information, click here.
This story first appeared in GraceConnect eNews. To subscribe to the weekly e-newsletter that includes news and information from congregations in the Charis Fellowship (Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches), click here.